The Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Fernando Alexandre, presented in parliament some figures on the implementation of the "More Classes, More Success" plan, made up of 17 measures to reduce the number of students without classes, concluding that at this moment there are “3,344 more teachers in the educational system”.
However, he added, it is a school year marked by 54 thousand students who at some point during the past two months of classes had failed in at least one subject and at the moment there are still around 23 thousand children and young people with missing teachers.
“We cannot live with thousands of students without classes”, said the minister, highlighting the importance of the “More Classes, More Success” plan, which he said was responsible for the “return of 557 teachers”, who had already abandoned teaching and now decided to return for schools.
There are also "seven thousand more students with classes, thanks to teachers who agreed to extend their hours", another measure of the plan that allows schools to invite teachers to teach a few more classes.
During his opening speech in the debate on sectoral policy, Fernando Alexandre also recalled the controversy surrounding the Citizenship subject, arguing that education policies “must be guided by data and studies”, criticising “zigzagging opinions”.
Fernando Alexandre recalled today that a review and update of all subjects is taking place, which will take place throughout this academic year and which should take effect in the next one (2024/2025).
“We don’t believe in the routines of the last decade,” he said, arguing that “schools need focus, they don’t need disruption,” but “there is room for improvement,” with respect for everyone’s rights and freedoms.